Plans for UIHC discharge...

We have spent today working with several different people towards discharge for Rob from the University of Iowa. First the occupational therapist came to evaluate him. He went for his longest walk yet all the way down the unit hallway to the main hall. Then the diabetes nurse came to give us a crash course in insulin management. Since his sugar levels have been out of balance with his different feeding methods over the past 5 1/2 weeks, he has required insulin to regulate that. He needs less and less each day so we're hoping he won't have to be on it long term but we'll deal with it if we have to. He will be required to check his sugars regularly until it is determined what his long term need will be, if any. So we picked out a glucose test unit, learned how to work it and give him shots of insulin.

Then his team of doctors came to check him over. They all agreed that he's doing very well and ready to start talking discharge. Of course we got our hopes up that we'd get to go straight home but they are recommending inpatient physical rehab for a week or 2. They are working on a transfer to Ottumwa Regional Health Center's rehab unit. We could go as early as tomorrow but it might be Thursday before things get done. We'll have to hurry up and wait...just like with everything else. Rob has made so much progress in the past few days that I don't think he'll need to stay that long in Ottuwma. Physical therapy said he's doing great but they are just concerned that he's trying to go too fast and that he'll end up falling because he's too ready to go too fast. We were hoping for outpatient rehab but recommendations and insurance considerations have left us with inpatient as our option. I want him to be ready to return home safely since I can't handle picking him up if he would fall. He's a big guy for a pregnant woman like me to handle alone. So even though it means at least another week of sleeping apart, I think we'll manage. We just got too used to the quick speed of things since his release from the SICU. But I have to keep remembering that he's only been out of SICU for 5 days now and he's come so far since then.

So it sounds like we'll be leaving UIHC soon to make one more step closer to home. Thank the LORD!!!

Kelly